US8685170B2 - Produce washer and method for continuous motion washing machine - Google Patents

Produce washer and method for continuous motion washing machine Download PDF

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US8685170B2
US8685170B2 US12/842,984 US84298410A US8685170B2 US 8685170 B2 US8685170 B2 US 8685170B2 US 84298410 A US84298410 A US 84298410A US 8685170 B2 US8685170 B2 US 8685170B2
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Prior art keywords
wash tank
flow path
fluid flow
collector
wall
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US12/842,984
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US20110174339A1 (en
Inventor
John Cantrell
Mark Churchill
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Electrolux Professional Inc
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Unified Brands Inc
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Priority to US12/842,984 priority Critical patent/US8685170B2/en
Assigned to METCRAFT, INC. reassignment METCRAFT, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CANTRELL, JOHN, CHURCHILL, MARK
Publication of US20110174339A1 publication Critical patent/US20110174339A1/en
Assigned to UNIFIED BRANDS, INC. reassignment UNIFIED BRANDS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: METCRAFT, INC.
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Assigned to ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL, INC. reassignment ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL, INC. MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL, INC., UNIFIED BRANDS, INC.
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/50—Racks ; Baskets
    • A47L15/501—Baskets, e.g. for conveyor-type, in-sink type or hood-type machines
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
    • A23N12/00—Machines for cleaning, blanching, drying or roasting fruits or vegetables, e.g. coffee, cocoa, nuts
    • A23N12/02—Machines for cleaning, blanching, drying or roasting fruits or vegetables, e.g. coffee, cocoa, nuts for washing or blanching
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/02—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with circulation and agitation of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning chamber containing a stationary basket
    • A47L15/08—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware with circulation and agitation of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning chamber containing a stationary basket by application of a pressure effect produced by pumps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a produce washer and methods of washing produce or other items. More particularly, the present invention relates to a produce washer and methods of washing produce or other items in a continuous motion washing machine.
  • Continuous motion pot and pan washing machines of the type used in restaurants, institutions and other eating facilities often involve a large wash tank or basin in which wash fluid is circulated to provide a rolling wash action for the pots and pans.
  • One such machine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,436 issued to Cantrell et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the machine of Cantrell includes a wash tank with multiple jets evenly spaced apart at an elevated position along the rear wall of the wash tank. The tank is filled with water (wash fluid) to a level above the position of the jets. Pots and pans are placed in the wash tank, and a pump is activated to draw fluid from within the wash tank and direct it through the jets to create a jet stream.
  • Each jet directs its jet stream toward the bottom wall of the wash tank, the bottom wall then deflects the jet stream upward and towards the front wall of the tank.
  • the front wall then deflects the upward moving jet stream towards the rear wall of the tank, and the rear wall deflects the jet stream downward and back towards the front wall along the bottom wall.
  • the combination of deflections of the jet stream from the bottom, front and rear walls provides a rolling washing action within the wash tank.
  • Wash tank 10 includes end walls 12 and 14 , rear side wall 16 , front side wall 18 and bottom wall 19 .
  • a pump can be attached to either end wall; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , pump 50 is attached to right end wall 14 .
  • An impeller located within pump 50 is driven by electric motor 56 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the impeller draws fluid into pump inlet 52 through an intake port (not shown) located in end wall 14 . The fluid is then discharged from the pump through pump outlet 54 and into outlet manifold 60 .
  • Outlet manifold 60 includes a ninety degree turn, and several other turns, to direct the fluid across the back side of rear wall 16 and out jet nozzles 20 which are protruding through and extending from rear wall 16 .
  • the intake port associated with pump inlet 52 is covered by perforated (holes, voids, mesh, etc.) intake manifold 30 .
  • Intake manifold 30 includes handle 36 and is removably supported within wash tank 10 for easy cleaning. Intake manifold 30 fits tightly between outer runner 32 and inner runner 34 , each of which extends vertically from bottom wall 19 .
  • Heating element 40 is positioned between intake manifold 30 and end wall 14 for its protection and to maximize the use of space.
  • Unloading small items such as produce from the wash tank of a continuous motion washing machine is often difficult and time consuming, and typically requires suspension of the wash action while unloading.
  • such items are typically washed either by hand, or in large specialized produce washing machines in which the produce is submerged in water (or other washing fluid) and moved out of the fluid via a conveyor that moves through the fluid. Washing by hand can be time consuming and inefficient for large amounts of produce.
  • Conveyor-belt type produce washing systems are extremely large and expensive, and therefore only practical for extremely high volumes of produce. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a device and method for washing produce of moderately large volumes of produce in an efficient and effective manner.
  • the instant inventions provide a produce washer for and methods of washing produce or other items in continuous motion wash tank style machines such as the pot and pan washing machines described in any of U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,436, or U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/947,484, 09/947,485, 10/744,666, 12/430,724, 12/765,838 (the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). It will be appreciated that other washing machines, or various combinations of washing machine components may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.
  • the produce washer assembly of the instant invention is mounted within the wash tank of a continuous motion washing machine, such as any of those described above.
  • the continuous motion washing machine includes discharge jets and an intake along the rear wall of the wash tank.
  • the produce washer assembly includes a pair of partitioning walls (or a single partitioning wall, if located at one of the ends of the wash tank) to subdivide a section of the wash tank for washing produce, and one or more basket(s) (or other suitable collectors) supported by the partitioning wall(s) and/or the end walls of the wash tank.
  • each partitioning wall is removably supported within voids created between two adjacent flow guide structures within the wash tank as is further described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/765,838, filed on Apr. 22, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • each partitioning wall is held in position within the wash tank via a pair of removable support brackets that include rails or a slot in which the partition is retained.
  • each portioning wall is held in position by non-removable supports, such as rails or channels welded to the walls of the wash tank.
  • the produce basket includes a generally open front face and a top connected to the front face of the basket.
  • Two cross members that function as handles for the basket, as well as providing a rigid framework for the basket, extend across the front face/top portions of the basket.
  • the basket includes a pair of side walls extending from the front face toward a rear wall, a bottom wall, and, in a preferred embodiment, an intermediate angled wall connecting the bottom and rear walls.
  • the intermediate angled wall is angled to prevent interference with the jet stream created by the discharge jet(s) located along the rear wall (or other wall) of the wash tank.
  • a pair of support/pivot pins protrudes from each of the side walls. The support pins support that basket on top of the partitioning walls.
  • the position of the support pins and the size and shape of the basket is designed to be slid from the rear to the front of the wash tank, or vice versa, along the walls on which the basket is supported.
  • the position of the support pins and size and shape of the basket allow the basket to be rotated about one pair of opposing pins (i.e. the front or rear set of pins—one pin from each set on each side of the basket).
  • the bottom wall of the basket includes perforations or other openings to allow the flow of fluid within the wash tank to flow through the bottom wall of the basket generally with minimal disruption to the continuous recirculating motion created within the wash tank and/or to substantially maintain the velocity of the recirculating fluid flow.
  • the intermediate angled wall between the rear wall and the bottom wall of the support basket is angled to allow the jet stream created by the discharge jet of the washing machine to flow generally in the manner/direction designed for the washing machine.
  • the intermediate angled wall allows the jet stream to flow generally in the manner/direction designed, but also at least slightly reduce or compress the cross-sectional area of the flow path, resulting in increased velocity of the fluid flow.
  • the intermediate angled wall includes perforations, openings, holes, etc. to further minimize disruptions of the recirculating motion within the wash tank.
  • any or all of the side and rear walls are also perforated (or otherwise include holes/flow channels).
  • produce (or other items) is placed in the partitioned section of the wash tank, and the washing machine is allowed to run creating a recirculating wash action within the wash tank.
  • the basket is set into the partitioned section of the wash tank, with the support/pivot pins supporting the basket on top of the partitioning walls while the recirculating wash action is allowed to continue.
  • the rolling or recirculating washing action of the washing machine washes the produce (when the basket is removed), and also urges the produce (which often floats, or otherwise is caused to “float” as it is brought into motion within the flow of fluid) into the open front face of the basket.
  • the perforated bottom wall allows the rolling washing action to continue through the produce basket.
  • the basket is slid forward toward the front of the wash tank and lifted upward and removed from the wash tank to “scoop” the produce from the tank, typically while the rolling wash action of the wash tank continues.
  • the angled intermediate wall acts to compress the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow between the wall and bottom of the wash tank (or surface of a fluid flow guide inserted into the wash tank). This increases the flow velocity as the basket is pulled forward, reduces eddies toward the bottom of the basket (which in preferred embodiments is generally located near the center axis of rotation of the recirculating flow path within the wash tank), and changes the trajectory of items moving within the flow.
  • the bottom wall of the basket is slightly curved to correspond generally to curvature of a flow guide in the wash tank and further reduce eddies within the wash tank.
  • the trajectory results in propelling the rotating items higher toward the top of the opening of the basket, allowing such items to stack on top of items already located in the bottom of the basket.
  • the basket may be used also to place produce into the wash tank.
  • the produce basket may be removed from the wash tank while the produce is being washed, and inserted into the wash tank when it is desired to remove the produce from the wash tank, providing an effective automatic self-filling basket. This feature is achieved because of the basket design combined with the unique rolling/recirculating washing action of the continuous motion washing machines of the type described above.
  • the basket is sized and shaped to intercept at least a portion of the fluid flow path through the opening of the basket, allowing the perforated bottom to remove items from the fluid flow while at the same time allowing the fluid to continue to flow through the bottom generally in the same circulatory flow path created by the washing machine.
  • the produce will be washed by the rolling (circulating) wash action within the partitioned section of the wash tank in the same or similar manner to pots, pans, utensils and other items that are typically washed within the wash tank.
  • the basket is placed in the wash tank it is used to “scoop” the produce out of the tank in the manner discussed above.
  • the basket intercepts a portion of the fluid flow path located generally along a portion of the flow path only along a single direction of the fluid flow path, such that the basket generally does not extend across the center axis of rotation of the fluid flow path.
  • the basket may extend slightly beyond the center axis of rotation without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, any such extension is minimal so as to not interfere with the recirculating flow and momentum of such flow.
  • the collector comprises a generally planar perforated surface.
  • the planar collector is positioned within the flow in the same manner described above to collect items.
  • the recirculating wash action within the wash tank rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation within the wash tank to create a rolling wash action.
  • the collector is positioned toward the top of the wash tank with the portion of the fluid flow path moving in a direction across the top of the wash tank.
  • the produce or other items are pushed upward and into or onto the collector by the fluid flow.
  • the recirculating wash action rotates about a vertical axis of rotation within the wash tank.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a continuous motion washing machine of the prior art in which embodiments of the instant invention may be incorporated.
  • FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a washing machine of an embodiment of the instant invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a produce basket collector of the washing machine of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 2 with collector(s) removed.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 2 with a basket-type collector and with flow guide inserts removed.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the washing machine of FIG. 2 with a planar-type collector and with flow guide inserts removed.
  • Washing machine 110 includes a wash tank including end walls 112 and 114 , rear side wall 116 , front side wall 118 and bottom wall 119 .
  • a pump can be attached to either end wall; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , pump 150 is attached to left end wall 112 .
  • An impeller located within pump 150 is driven by electric motor 156 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the impeller draws fluid into a pump inlet through an intake port (not shown) located in end wall 112 that is associated with a perforated intake grate 113 (shown in FIG. 5 ).
  • the fluid is then discharged from the pump through a pump outlet and into an outlet manifold.
  • the outlet manifold directs the fluid across the back side of rear wall 116 and out jet nozzles 120 which go through and are flush mounted to the inner surface of rear wall 116 .
  • the produce washer assembly includes partitioning walls 160 to subdivide sections of the wash tank for washing produce, and baskets 200 supported by the partitioning walls and/or the end walls of the wash tank, as the case may be.
  • the partitioning walls of the embodiment shown are removably supported within voids created between two adjacent flow guide structures 170 within the wash tank as is further described in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/765,838, filed on Apr. 22, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the produce basket 200 includes a generally open front face 218 and a top 217 connected to the front face of the basket.
  • the basket includes a pair of side walls 212 and 214 extending from the front face toward a rear wall 216 , a bottom wall 219 , and, in a preferred embodiment, an intermediate angled wall 211 connecting the bottom and rear walls.
  • the intermediate angled wall is angled to prevent interference with the jet stream created by the discharge jet(s) located along the rear wall (or other wall) of the wash tank.
  • a pair of support/pivot pins 220 protrude from each of the side walls.
  • the support pins support that basket on top of the partitioning walls.
  • the position of the support pins and the size and shape of the basket are such that the basket can be slid from the rear to the front of the wash tank, or vice versa, along the walls on which the basket is supported.
  • the bottom wall of the basket includes perforations to allow the flow of fluid within the wash tank to flow through the bottom wall of the basket generally with minimal disruption to the continuous recirculating motion 300 created within the wash tank and/or to substantially maintain the velocity of the recirculating fluid flow.
  • the intermediate angled wall between the rear wall and the bottom wall of the support basket is angled to allow the jet stream created by the discharge jet of the washing machine to flow generally in the manner/direction designed for the washing machine.
  • the intermediate angled wall allows the jet stream to flow generally in the manner/direction designed, but also at least slightly reduce or compress the cross-sectional area of the flow path 300 , resulting in increased velocity of the fluid flow.
  • intermediate angled wall includes perforations, openings, holes, etc. to further minimize disruptions of the recirculating motion within the wash tank.
  • produce (or other items) is placed in the partitioned section of the wash tank, and the washing machine is allowed to run for a period of time creating a recirculating wash action within the wash tank to wash the items.
  • the basket is set into the partitioned section of the wash tank, with the support/pivot pins supporting the basket on top of the partitioning walls while the recirculating wash action is allowed to continue.
  • the rolling or recirculating washing action of the washing machine washes the produce (when the basket is removed), and also urges the produce (which often floats, or otherwise is caused to “float” as it is brought into motion within the flow of fluid) into the open front face of the basket.
  • the perforated bottom wall allows the rolling washing action to continue through the produce basket.
  • the basket is slid forward toward the front of the wash tank and lifted upward and removed from the wash tank to “scoop” the produce from the tank, typically while the rolling wash action of the wash tank continues.
  • the angled intermediate wall acts to compress the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow between the wall and bottom of the wash tank (or surface of a fluid flow guide inserted into the wash tank). This increases the flow velocity as the basket is pulled forward, reduces eddies toward the bottom of the basket (which in preferred embodiments is generally located near the center axis of rotation of the recirculating flow path within the wash tank), and changes the trajectory of items moving within the flow.
  • the bottom wall of the basket is slightly curved (shown in FIG. 5 in broken lines as bottom wall 219 a ) to correspond generally to curvature of a flow guide in the wash tank and further reduce eddies within the wash tank.
  • fluid flow recirculates or rolls about a horizontal axis within the wash tank. The trajectory results in propelling the rotating items higher toward the top of the opening of the basket, allowing such items to stack on top of items already located in the bottom of the basket.
  • the basket may be used also to place produce into the wash tank.
  • the produce basket may be removed from the wash tank while the produce is being washed, and inserted into the wash tank when it is desired to remove the produce from the wash tank, providing an effective automatic self-filling basket. This feature is achieved because of the basket design combined with the unique rolling/recirculating washing action of the continuous motion washing machines of the type described above.
  • the basket is sized and shaped to intercept at least a portion of the fluid flow path through the opening of the basket, allowing the perforated bottom to remove items from the fluid flow while at the same time allowing the fluid to continue to flow through the bottom generally in the same circulatory flow path created by the washing machine.
  • the produce will be washed by the rolling (circulating) wash action within the partitioned section of the wash tank in the same or similar manner to pots, pans, utensils and other items that are typically washed within the wash tank.
  • the basket is placed in the wash tank it is used to “scoop” the produce out of the tank in the manner discussed above.
  • the basket intercepts a portion of the fluid flow path located generally along a portion of the flow path only along a single direction of the fluid flow path, such that the basket generally does not extend across the center axis of rotation of the fluid flow path.
  • the basket may extend slightly beyond the center axis of rotation without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, any such extension is minimal so as to not interfere with the recirculating flow and momentum of such flow.
  • FIG. 6 an alternative embodiments of the instant invention is shown in which basket 300 is replaced with a generally planar collector 400 comprises a generally planar perforated surface 410 .
  • the planar collector is positioned within the flow in the same manner described above to collect items.
  • the planar collector 400 includes a ramped surface 420 that extends upward from planar surface 410 and back downward toward the bottom of the wash tank. The ramped surface aides in scoping of larger items from the fluid flow.
  • the upward extension of the ramped surface 420 from the planar surface 410 creates a ledge or pocket in which items collected on the planar surface 410 will be deposited and prevented or discouraged from falling back into the wash tank.
  • collector 400 is attached to the rear wall 116 of the wash tank by member 430 which extends from the rear of planar surface 410 upward and hooks around the top of rear wall 116 .
  • member 430 extends from the rear of planar surface 410 upward and hooks around the top of rear wall 116 .
  • alternative mounts for planar surface will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to support members extending over the top edges of partitions 160 , hinge connectors to the rear wall 116 , and the like.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
US12/842,984 2009-07-23 2010-07-23 Produce washer and method for continuous motion washing machine Active 2031-09-06 US8685170B2 (en)

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US12/842,984 US8685170B2 (en) 2009-07-23 2010-07-23 Produce washer and method for continuous motion washing machine

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EP (1) EP2456575A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN102548672B (fr)
AU (1) AU2010275428B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2775710C (fr)
WO (1) WO2011011763A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US20230056911A1 (en) * 2021-08-20 2023-02-23 Unified Brands, Inc. Infinitely variable food washer and method thereof
US12004697B2 (en) 2021-12-13 2024-06-11 Champion Industries, Inc. Soaker sinks and fluid distribution assemblies
USD1038714S1 (en) 2021-02-01 2024-08-13 Electrolux Professional, Inc. Collection basket

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WO2013123506A1 (fr) 2012-02-17 2013-08-22 Cantrell John W Structure de flux de fluide et procédé d'utilisation pour machine à laver à mouvement continu
CN104274139A (zh) 2009-04-22 2015-01-14 统一品牌有限公司 用于连续运动洗涤机的流体流动结构和方法
CN103028567A (zh) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-10 禤伟光 滚镀自动清洗装置
CN104323405A (zh) * 2014-10-24 2015-02-04 新华新橙科技股份有限公司 橙子清洗筛选装置
USD796011S1 (en) 2015-10-26 2017-08-29 Unified Brands, Inc. Manifold for food or ware washing, deglazing and defrosting system
WO2017075040A1 (fr) * 2015-10-26 2017-05-04 Roger Moore Système de lavage, de déglacer et de dégivrage d'aliments ou de produits, et procédés de déglacer et de dégivrage d'articles alimentaires
US20230056546A1 (en) * 2021-08-20 2023-02-23 Unified Brands, Inc. Fluid flow structure and method of use for continuous motion washing machine

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US4773436A (en) 1987-03-09 1988-09-27 Cantrell Industries, Inc. Pot and pan washing machines
US5562114A (en) 1992-09-25 1996-10-08 St. Martin; Marty Produce washer with rotating basket
US20030041887A1 (en) 2001-09-06 2003-03-06 John Inch Pot and pan washing machine
US20030041886A1 (en) 2001-09-06 2003-03-06 Cantrell John W. Powered utensil basket
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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD1038714S1 (en) 2021-02-01 2024-08-13 Electrolux Professional, Inc. Collection basket
US20230056911A1 (en) * 2021-08-20 2023-02-23 Unified Brands, Inc. Infinitely variable food washer and method thereof
US12004697B2 (en) 2021-12-13 2024-06-11 Champion Industries, Inc. Soaker sinks and fluid distribution assemblies

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CA2775710A1 (fr) 2011-01-27
CA2775710C (fr) 2017-12-05
EP2456575A4 (fr) 2018-01-17
CN102548672B (zh) 2015-02-11
US20110174339A1 (en) 2011-07-21
AU2010275428A1 (en) 2012-03-15
EP2456575A1 (fr) 2012-05-30
CN102548672A (zh) 2012-07-04
WO2011011763A1 (fr) 2011-01-27
AU2010275428B2 (en) 2016-07-07

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